Politics

PhRMA adds Geoffrey Becker to lead state government affairs in the region

Published

5 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) has hired Geoffrey Becker to join its State Government Affairs team, adding a seasoned government affairs leader with more than two decades of experience shaping health care policy at the state and national levels.

PhRMA represents the country’s leading biopharmaceutical research companies and advocates for public policies that support scientific innovation, patient access to medicines, and a strong U.S. life sciences ecosystem.

At the state level, PhRMA works with policymakers, patients, physicians and other stakeholders to advance policies that encourage the discovery of new medicines, promote market-based access and avoid unintended consequences that can limit patient care or future innovation.

Becker brings more than two decades of experience in health care policy and government affairs to the role. Most recently, he served as Government Affairs Program Director at Medtronic, where he led state advocacy efforts focused on patient access, innovation, and regulatory policy, including navigating complex reimbursement and coverage environments.

“I have known and worked with Geoffrey for more than a decade and have always respected his work in each role he’s served,” said Sen. Ed Hooper, a Clearwater Republican and Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “He understands Florida’s policy landscape and how decisions made here impact patients and innovation. I look forward to continuing to work with him as he assumes this new leadership position.”

Becker has deep Florida experience, having previously served in senior roles in state government, including Deputy Chief of Staff in the Executive Office of Gov. Rick Scott and Assistant Secretary for Administration at the Florida Department of Children and Families.

“I’m excited to join PhRMA and continue working at the intersection of public policy, innovation, and patient access,” Becker said. “State-level decisions increasingly shape how patients access care, and I look forward to collaborating with policymakers and stakeholders to advance practical, patient-centered solutions that support innovation and improve health outcomes.”

At PhRMA, Becker will focus on advancing state-level advocacy strategies that support the value of biopharmaceutical innovation, improve patient access to medicines, and promote policies that strengthen health systems and communities nationwide.

Source link

Politics

Senate panel advances bill to strengthen Tax Collector oversight of commercial driving schools

Published

10 minutes ago

January 12, 2026

May Greene

‘We want to make sure that when they’re out on the road, they’re not going to be a menace to society.’

A proposal meant to crack down on fraudulent commercial driver’s license activity at DMV sites zipped through its first Senate committee with unanimous support.

Members of the Senate Transportation Committee advanced the measure (SB 584) by Miami Springs Republican Sen. Bryan Ávila, who said there’s a rising trend in Miami-Dade of people lying about being licensed to drive commercial vehicles.

Ávila said Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez approached him about the problem, which could spread to other parts of the state, if it hasn’t already.

“The goal here, Senators, is to protect the integrity of driver licensing processes, deter fraud and support compliant driving schools without altering curriculum testing standards or a statewide eligibility criteria,” he said.

“This is an effort to make sure we can cover all our bases through cooperation and through collaboration with our Tax Collector.”

If approved, the legislation would authorize the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to formally delegate enforcement authority over commercial driving schools to county Tax Collectors through interagency agreements.

Under those agreements, Tax Collectors could bar driving school operators from Tax Collector Offices, investigate fraud or practices undermining license integrity, require license verification and inspect driving school premises for legal compliance

“We want to make sure that when they’re out on the road, they’re not going to be a menace to society,” Ávila previously told Florida Politics while discussing his 2026 legislative priorities. “We want everyone that is driving any truck or vehicle on our roadways to be absolutely qualified and licensed to be driving.”

Barney Bishop of the Florida Smart Justice Alliance and Carlos San Jose of Corcoran Partners signaled support for the measure, which will next go to the Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development.

A House twin of the bill (HB 953) by Miami Republican Rep. Omar Blanco awaits committee referrals.

Source link

Politics

Jerry Demings trails David Jolly in fundraising out of the gate

Published

41 minutes ago

January 12, 2026

May Greene

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings’ fundraising is lagging behind U.S. Rep. David Jolly’s in the race for the Democratic Primary for Governor.

Demings raised about $225,000 in addition to $104,000 from his political committee Moving Florida Forward, campaign finance reports show.

The latest campaign fundraising report covers the fourth quarter of 2025.

In comparison to Demings’ $330,000, Jolly brought in more than $1 million in the final three months of 2025.

Jolly raised about $649,000 in addition to his political committee Florida 2026 collecting about $412,000, records showed.

Demings officially jumped into the race Nov. 6, a timing he acknowledged as a handicap during the start of the holiday season.

“Despite those challenges, we raised a respectable $330,000. I look forward to expanding our fundraising and support during the first quarter of the year and thereafter,” Demings said in a statement, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

Demings said he was “excited about the momentum we’ve achieved.”

Whoever wins the Democratic nod faces a long fight against the better-funded Republicans.

U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, who is leading Republicans in polls, raised $13.1 million raised during the fourth quarter of the year between his campaign account and the Friends of Byron Donalds political committee. Donalds amassed a war chest of more than $45 million in 2025.

Demings, the former Orange County Sheriff and Orlando City Police Chief, has led Orange County government since he won election in 2018.

“This is not a right or left moment, but a right or wrong moment in our history. The power of the people is greater than the people in power,” Demings said during his campaign launch in November in Orlando. “We’re tired of toxic and divisive politics. If you vote for me, it’s a vote for a new style of leadership. It’s a vote for change. It’s a vote for democracy.”

Source link

Politics

José Javier Rodríguez reports nearly $700K raised in 2025

Published

1 hour ago

January 12, 2026

May Greene

José Javier Rodríguez, a Democratic candidate for Attorney General, says he raised nearly $700,000 for the chance to unseat James Uthmeier.

“Floridians want an Attorney General who works for them, not for powerful interests. The strong support behind our campaign shows real momentum to restore integrity and accountability to the Attorney General’s office,” said Rodríguez, a Miami Democrat.

“As Attorney General, I’ll take on corruption, hold state government accountable, and be an independent voice for working families.”

Rodríguez launched his campaign in June. The former state Senator previously lost a re-election bid by just 34 votes in 2020. The results continued to be scrutinized for years as he also faced “ghost” candidate Alex Rodriguez, a no-party candidate who did not campaign but siphoned nearly 6,400 votes.

The financial support for Rodríguez in 2025 came to his campaign and his affiliated political committee, Floridians for JJR, the campaign announced. Rodríguez said it showed broad support and a desire for Floridians to see government stand up to corruption.

Rodríguez’s committee through the end of the year raised a total of nearly $309,000, and closed the year with more than $94,000 in cash on hand. Donations included a $50,000 check from Miguel Fernandez of Coral Gables in December. The Barbara Stiefel Trust donated $25,000 as well. The committee reported $10,000 donations from Laurie Schecter, Frank Morzani, Alix Ritchie and the accounting firm Terrell, Hogan Yegelwel.

Meanwhile, Rodríguez’s campaign account reported upward of $378,000 for the year. That included $3,000 from the 78 Political Committee, as well as $3,000 each from lawyer Stephen Pajcic and retiree Stuart Crandall.

Rodríguez currently faces Jim Lewis in a Democratic Primary. Lewis also sought to challenge then-Attorney General Ashley Moody but lost the Democratic nomination to Aramis Ayala.

Uthmeier, who was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to the Cabinet post to replace Moody after her ascension to the U.S. Senate, currently faces Steven Leskovich for the Republican nomination.

Source link